English Language RequirementsStudents registering in post-secondary level courses (numbered 100 to 499) will be required to meet the English language entrance proficiency requirements. Students in ESL or the University Foundations programs can register in those courses identified in the University Foundations program with lower levels of language proficiency.

POSC 1003 credits
Introduction to PoliticsPrerequisite(s): NoneThis course will introduce you to the key concepts and ideas of politics. It offers an introduction to major areas of study in the discipline, including political theory, Canadian politics, comparative politics, international politics, gender and politics, and Indigenous politics. To explain and clarify the fundamental concepts and theories used by political scientists, the course will draw on historical and contemporary political cases and examples.

POSC 1103 credits
Introduction to Canadian PoliticsPrerequisite(s): NoneThis course will examine the constitutional foundations of Canadian politics, the key institutions in the Canadian political system, the role of citizens in Canadian politics including Aboriginal peoples, and the challenges of political reform.

POSC 1203 credits
Ideology and PoliticsPrerequisite(s): NoneThe study of major ideologies and their philosophical underpinnings sheds light on historical and current events. With a view to understanding Canadian and world politics, this course introduces and surveys a wide range of thinkers and ideas that have shaped our world. Through the study of the ideological visions of liberalism, conservatism, Marxism, socialism, feminism, anti-colonialism, anarchism, and environmentalism, we will explore theories of power, government, freedom, and liberation.

POSC 2003 credits
Introduction to Political AnalysisPrerequisite(s): POSC 120Introduction to various modes of political analysis, including classical perspectives, political economy and empirical political analysis.

POSC 2303 credits
Comparative PoliticsPrerequisite(s): NoneThis course will examine and compare political systems in different countries. The comparative method will help elucidate various themes and issues in the practice of politics.

POSC 2603 credits
International Relations and Global PoliticsPrerequisite(s): NoneThis course will introduce students to the study of global politics and international relations. The course will examine international relations theory, the sources of power in world politics, international security and war, the formulation of foreign policy, international political economy, international law, human rights, and globalization.

Note: Students with credit for POSC 190 cannot take this course for further credit.

POSC 3013 credits
The Canadian State and Indigenous GovernancePrerequisite(s): 45 university-level creditsThis course will provide an introduction to the political theories and practices of colonial and Indigenous governance. We will explore the historical and evolving political relationships between Indigenous nations in Canada and the Canadian state and society. Topics for examination may include colonialism, identity, Indigenous traditions of governance, urban Indigenous governance, political culture, treaties, Indigenous rights and title, gendering Indigenous governance, and the political economy of Indigenous life in a settler state.

POSC 3053 credits
Government and Politics in British ColumbiaPrerequisite(s): POSC 110This course will examine the government of British Columbia and the enduring political themes in the province, such as populism, the ideological polarization between right and left, and the urban-rural cleavage. The course will also consider the ways in which politics might be changing in BC through globalization, immigration, and the attempt to forge a new relationship with Aboriginal peoples in the province.

POSC 3093 credits
Canadian Constitutional PoliticsPrerequisite(s): POSC 110This course will examine the development of the Canadian constitution, the events leading to its patriation in 1982, and the legacies of patriation: the impact of the new constitution on Quebec and national unity, the effect of the Charter of Rights and freedoms on Canadian politics and society, and the implications of recognizing and affirming Aboriginal Rights.

POSC 3103 credits
Canadian Federalism and Intergovernmental RelationsPrerequisite(s): POSC 110Corequisite(s): NoneThis course will examine the origin and development of federalism in Canada from 1867 to the present. It will focus on the difficulties of creating and managing a social welfare state in a federal political system. Particular attention will be paid to the challenge of dividing and sharing fiscal resources. Special attention will be paid to how the governments of Canada jointly manage social programs and tackle problems that cross jurisdictional boundaries, such as the environment and health care.

POSC 3113 credits
Power, Knowledge, and Order: Early Western Political ThoughtPrerequisite(s): One of POSC 120, POSC 270, PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or 45 university-level credits.This course covers the history of Western political thought from Classical Greece through the Italian Renaissance. The course will focus on the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, and Macchiavelli. It provides a good overview for students in History, English, and other disciplines, as well as Political Science.Note: This course is offered as POSC 311 and PHIL 371. Students may take only one of these for credit.

POSC 3123 credits
Order, Liberty, and Equality: Western Political Thought from the 17th Century to 1900Prerequisite(s): One of POSC 120, POSC 270, POSC 311, PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or 45 university-level credits.This course will cover the history of Western political thought from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The course will focus on the writing of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Bentham, JS Mill, Madison, Hegel, and Marx. It provides a good overview for students in History, English, and other disciplines, as well as Political Science.Note: This course is offered as POSC 312 and PHIL 372. Students may take only one of these for credit.

POSC 3203 credits
Canadian Political ThoughtPrerequisite(s): 45 credits from Arts, Science, or Applied programs, including two of POSC 110, POSC 120, POSC 190, POSC 195, POSC 230, POSC 270This course will introduce students to many of the major political ideas and theorists that have shaped the intellectual landscape of this country. It will introduce students to such ideas/theorists in an historical manner; the course will finish with a discussion of some of the major issues before us at the present time.

POSC 3223 credits
Introduction to American PoliticsPrerequisite(s): POSC 230 or 45 university-level creditsThis course will provide analysis of various aspects of American political life, the major U.S. political institutions, and how they interrelate to affect political outcomes. The course will also consider the role of both the Constitution andAmerican civic life as these impact politics in the U.S. and elsewhere.

POSC 3303 credits
Human Rights: Theory and HistoryPrerequisite(s): Nine credits of Philosophy or Political Science, including one of the following: POSC 120 or POSC 190 or POSC 290 or POSC 270 or PHIL 110 or PHIL 210 or PHIL 230The language of human rights is woven into the fabric of our culture, society, and political discourse. This course will examine different notions of rights and responsibilities, and the history of these ideas as they are embodied in various organizations and institutions.

POSC 3313 credits
Western Peace TraditionsPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level creditsWar and peace seem to be a perennial aspect of the human condition. This course will examine how peace has been understood, at the level of theory and practice, within the Western Tradition. The course will cover Classical Greek, Roman, and Jewish perspectives, the complex Classical Christian synthesis, the 16th century Magisterial and Anabaptist notions of war and peace, and peace activists on the stage of world politics today. The major peace themes such as pacifism, various forms of just war theory, and peace through strength will be examined. The course will conclude with a discussion of the Canadian Peace Tradition.

POSC 3323 credits
The Politics of MulticulturalismPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level creditsThis course explores and critically assesses various perspectives on multiculturalism. Through an analysis of different theoretical perspectives and various political topics (such as Indigenous self-government, reasonable accommodation, Shariah law debates, the âwar on terrorâ, etc.), students are invited to reflect critically on issues of power, citizenship, belonging, diversity, difference, and liberal and democratic principles and practices.

POSC 3333 credits
On Indigenous Land: The Politics of Diaspora and IndigeneityPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits.Drawing from a range of critical race and anti-colonial theories and perspectives, this course explores the concepts of Indigeneity and Diaspora in relation to nation-building practices. In particular, this course will trace some of the ways in which the experiences of various Indigenous peoples and migrants differently position them as âoutsidersâ to white settler nations like Canada. At the same time, migration of diasporas to settler societies also fosters nation-building projects because this too can displace Indigenous peoples and their relationship to the land. What then is the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Diaspora communities in these nation-building projects?

POSC 3353 credits
Civil Liberties and the Charter in CanadaPrerequisite(s): 45 credits from Arts, Science or Applied programs, including POSC 110A study of the relationship between the government and individual liberty in Canada. The focus is upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its interpretation by our judiciary. Examination of the issues of equality before the law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, hate literature and obscenity. Consideration of the rights of incarcerated individuals and the rights of individuals designated as mentally disordered.Note: Credit cannot be obtained for both POSC 335 and CRIM 335.

POSC 3364 credits
Indigenous Leadership: Yesterday and Today For Tomorrow IPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits including one of the following: HIST 103, FNST 202, POSC 100, POSC 110, POSC 120, or FNST 275/EDUC 275.In a collaborative learning environment, students and instructor will examine their understandings of history, leadership, and themselves. With an anti-colonial lens, students will examine and engage with knowledge of the interaction of the State, non-Indigenous, and Indigenous peoples. This course is open to everyone. Building from the framework of knowledge acquired in previous coursework, students will expand their awareness, understanding, and knowledge of StĂł:lĂ” and Canadian history, realities, and challenges for today and tomorrow.

Note: This course is offered as IPK 331 and POSC 336. Students may take only one of these for credit.

POSC 3503 credits
Sex, Gender, and Women in Political ThoughtPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level creditsThis course will provide a survey of some of the key debates in gender and feminist political theory, including meanings of gender, the idea of women in political thought, differences among gender identities, and how gendered identities are conceived and organized in politics and society.

POSC 3524 credits
Public Policy AnalysisPrerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits, to include at least six credits of Sociology and/or Political Science.This course examines the art of policy analysis by exploring its normative nature through a diversity of theoretical and practical approaches. Students will explore various policy analysis models within the social, political, economic, and legal contexts that situate the action and inaction that is social policy.

Note: This course is offered as SOC 352 and POSC 352. Students may take only one of these for credit.

POSC 3603 credits
The United Nations and International OrganizationsPrerequisite(s): POSC 260 (formerly POSC 190) or 45 university-level creditsThis course will examine the history and roles of international organizations in global politics. Special attention will be paid to the United Nations, but organizations such as the European Union, NATO, and Amnesty International may also be examined.

Note: Students with credit for POSC 195 or POSC 290 cannot take this course for further credit.

POSC 3653 credits
Global SecurityPrerequisite(s): POSC 260 or POSC 360This course will explore the major security issues in the world today. It will examine traditional diplomacy and warfare between states, as well as new security threats such as nuclear proliferation, economic dislocation, drugs, human trafficking, global pandemics, environmental damage, terrorism, piracy, state-collapse, and the re-emergence of ethnic conflicts. Note: Students with credit for POSC 483E cannot take this course for further credit.

POSC 4103 credits
Seminar in Canadian PoliticsPrerequisite(s): POSC 110 and 6 credits of 300-level POSCIn this reading-intensive seminar course, students will examine the history and development of Canadian politics as a field of study in political science. Students will explore the enduring issues in Canadian politics and survey the different approaches employed in the discipline. In the process, students will be introduced to the key thinkers and major texts in the field, as well as contemporary debates and critical approaches to the subject.

POSC 4203 credits
Seminar in Political TheoryPrerequisite(s): POSC 100 or POSC 120, and six credits of 300-level POSCIn this reading-intensive seminar course, students will examine some important modes and substantive domains of inquiry that distinguish the practice of political theory. Students will explore: the disputed identity of political theory as a field of inquiry and its location with Political Science; debates about political theory methodologies, drawing on major historical and contemporary thinkers and texts as case studies; and constitutive concept(s) in political theory, such as power, democracy, difference, and citizenship. Together, these overlapping domains of inquiry will illuminate the historical, normative, empirical, analytical, and critical value of political theory.

POSC 4803 credits
Special Topics in Political TheoryPrerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits including one of POSC 100 or POSC 120, or instructorâs permissionThis course will give students the opportunity to pursue an advanced topic in political science through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in political theory, such as feminism, multiculturalism, or Marxism. The course topic is determined by the instructor and will vary from semester to semester under different letter designations.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4813 credits
Special Topics in Comparative PoliticsPrerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits including POSC 230, or instructorâs permissionThis course will give students the opportunity to pursue an advanced topic in political science through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in comparative politics, such as elections, federalism, or the separation of powers. The course topic is determined by the instructor and will vary from semester to semester under different letter designations.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4823 credits
Special Topics in Canadian PoliticsPrerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits including POSC 110, or instructorâs permissionThis course will give students the opportunity to pursue an advanced topic in political science through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in Canadian politics, such as Aboriginal treaty negotiations, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or political parties and elections. The course topic is determined by the instructor and will vary from semester to semester under different letter designations.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4833 credits
Special Topics in International RelationsPrerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits including POSC 260, or instructorâs permissionThis course will give students the opportunity to pursue an advanced topic in political science through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in international relations, such as diplomacy, human security, or north-south relations. The course topic is determined by the instructor and will vary from semester to semester under different letter designations.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4843 credits
Special Topics in Public PolicyPrerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits including one of POSC 100, POSC 110, POSC 120, POSC 200, POSC 230, POSC 260, or POSC 270; or instructorâs permission.This course will give students the opportunity to pursue an advanced topic in political science through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in public policy, such as the environment, citizenship and immigration, health care, or foreign policy. The course topic is determined by the instructor and will vary from semester to semester under different letter designations.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4903 credits
Directed Studies in Political TheoryPrerequisite(s): 12 credits of Political Science including either POSC 100 or POSC 120 and at least six upper-level credits, and the consent of both the faculty supervisor and the department head.This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in the field of political theory. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4913 credits
Directed Studies in Comparative PoliticsPrerequisite(s): 12 credits of Political Science including POSC 230 and at least six upper-level credits, and the consent of both the faculty supervisor and the department head.This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in the field of comparative politics. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4923 credits
Directed Studies in Canadian PoliticsPrerequisite(s): 12 credits of Political Science including POSC 110 and at least six upper-level credits, and the consent of both the faculty supervisor and the department head.This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in the field of Canadian politics. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4933 credits
Directed Studies in International PoliticsPrerequisite(s): 12 credits of Political Science including POSC 260 (formerly POSC 190) and at least six upper-level credits, and the consent of both the faculty supervisor and the department head.This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in the field of International Politics. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.

POSC 4943 credits
Directed Studies in Public PolicyPrerequisite(s): 12 credits of Political Science including two of POSC 100, 110, 120, 230 or 260, and at least six upper-level credits, and the consent of both the faculty supervisor and the department head.This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in the field of public policy. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.Note: Students may take this course for credit more than once provided it is under different topics.